The Cascades Futurity and Aged horse cutting competition event is well underway at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds & Expo Center now through Aug. 19.

The event has booked over 425 horse stalls at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center and there is over $26,250,00, combined value of horses competing, with the average horse value at $65,000 to $70,000.

The National Cutting Horse Association inducts trainers, members, breeders and owners into the Hall of Fame annually. Cascades Futurity is honored to have the following prestigious Hall of Famers at this show: Tim Smith of Arizona, Josh Sleeman of Washington, Gavin Jordan, Dave Costello, and Morgan Cromer, all of California, and Tom Long of Nevada. There are riders that have come in from Canada, Texas, Montana, Wyoming, Washington, Utah, Arizona, and all over the western United States.

This is the first time that a cutting event is offering a concierge for all competitors. From arranging fly fishing, rafting down the Deschutes, and other tourist attractions to even hiring cleaning services to come out and clean their trailers, attendants are there to attend to any and all needs of the competitors.

In addition to world-class horse cutting expositions, the event features “Western Heritage Expo,” a Western themed market with a host of vendors from across the Pacific Northwest assembled on the upper decks of the First Interstate Bank Center.

On Aug. 18, Cali Paso Winery will host a Prosecco tasting and Coyote Rock Ranch will present the Year of the Western Shootout. Symons Beef Company out of Madras provided over 3,000 cattle for the 10-day event.

Top notch vendors in the Western Heritage Expo include: The Cow Lot from Idaho selling Twisted X boots, shoes, and hats; CR Ranch Wear from Texas, selling 100% American made Western apparel; Rodney Mabe, a custom knife maker out of Baker City; Rustic Creek Furniture of Sisters, selling custom wood furniture; and Ranch House from Palm Desert, California, selling apparel, art deco ranch wear, home décor, and handbags made from repurposed military uniforms.

Local cutting horse breeders Clarke Butte Ranch of Bend and Coyote Rock Ranch of Terrebonne are the major sponsors of the event.

Clarke Butte Ranch is dedicated to breeding premier quarter horse athletes who will go on to be champion cutting horses. Coyote Rock Ranch is passionate about breeding and raising quarter horses with the pedigree to become future cutting horse champions.

“We’re hoping to make this an annual event,” said Julie Clarke, owner of Clarke Butte Ranch.

“Two years ago I began the journey to bring an aged event back to Oregon. To see it all come to life is amazing, and I’m so grateful to the team of folks that has made it possible,” she said.

Cascades Futurity and Aged Event will be followed by the NCHA Approved Weekend Event Aug. 17-19. For more information, visit cascadesfuturity.com.